By LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / April 19, 1999

HAHNVILLE – St. Charles Parish’s new jail is a step closer to becoming areality.

The Louisiana Bond Commission has approved the issuance of $12.5 millionin 20-year bonds for the St. Charles Parish Law Enforcement District, thedebt to be repaid by anticipated housing fees for holding prisoners for the state Department of Corrections.

The bond sale will finance construction of a 590-bed facility to be constructed on a 63.24-acre site along Louisiana Highway 3127 nearKillona. The total project cost will be an estimated $15.5 million, withthe district committing to $11.5 million and the remainder from theparish government’s capital outlay funds.

The site purchase will also be completed soon, Maj. Sam Zinna added, withRay Coleman of Coleman Enterprises for the approximate price of $506,000. Ground-breaking is planned in May or June, and it is hoped bySheriff Greg C. Champagne to have the new jail open by spring 2001.Champagne commented: “With the Bond Commission approval, we can now move closer to the actual construction phase of this project. I am verypleased that we are able to put together such a needed public works project for the people of St. Charles with no additional taxes,” he said.Zinna added that the planned jail will include separate maximum-, medium- and minimum-security sections and a separate section for female inmates. It is hoped, he added, to also begin housing juveniles inthe current jail on the third floor of the parish courthouse. Adult inmatesmay possibly be held there as well for court dates, Zinna continued, following federal guidelines against allowing adults and juveniles from coming into contact.

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